Tag: Gratitude

  • 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me

    10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me

    When people look at my travel photos, they see sunsets, waterfalls, temples, hiking trails, and beautiful places.

    What they don’t see is the person behind the camera.

    So I thought I’d share a few things about myself that you probably wouldn’t know just by looking at my photos.

    1. I Never Planned to Start a Travel Blog

    Honestly, if someone had told me a few years ago that I would be writing a travel blog, I would have laughed.

    The idea never crossed my mind.

    I enjoyed travelling, taking photos, and keeping memories for myself. That’s all.

    2. The Blog Wasn’t My Idea

    Beyond The Horizon exists because someone close to me believed my stories were worth sharing.

    At first, I wasn’t convinced.

    I kept wondering who would be interested in reading about my travels.

    I’m glad I listened.

    3. My First International Trip Was Singapore

    I was 23 years old and travelling with my colleagues from Maxis.

    Looking back now, I had no idea that trip would eventually inspire my love for travel.

    At the time, I was simply enjoying the experience.

    4. There Was a Long Gap Before My Next International Trip

    After Singapore, life happened.

    Work became a priority. Responsibilities increased.

    Before I knew it, years had passed.

    My next international journey would only come much later, when I travelled to India in 2023.

    5. I Still See Myself as a Beginner Traveller

    I don’t consider myself a travel expert.

    I’m still learning.

    Still exploring.

    Still making mistakes.

    And honestly, I think that’s part of the fun.

    6. Some of My Favourite Memories Were Never Captured

    One of the most meaningful moments I’ve experienced was at Trimbakeshwar.

    Phones weren’t allowed inside.

    At first, I was disappointed.

    Now, I’m grateful.

    Because that memory belongs completely to me.

    7. I Love Nature More Than I Realised

    A waterfall.

    A quiet beach.

    A hiking trail.

    A sunset.

    The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to simple places like these.

    Nature has a way of slowing me down and helping me reset.

    8. I Enjoy Spiritual Journeys

    Many people travel for adventure.

    Some travel for food.

    Some travel for shopping.

    I’ve realised that I enjoy journeys that leave me feeling peaceful and grateful.

    That’s one of the reasons my trip to Shirdi and Nashik will always be special to me.

    9. I Believe Everything Happens for a Reason

    When I look back at my travels, many of them arrived at exactly the right moment in my life.

    Especially India.

    It was a trip I didn’t realise I needed until I came home.

    10. Travel Has Changed Me

    When I was younger, I thought travel was about seeing places.

    Today, I see it differently.

    Travel isn’t just about where you go.

    It’s about the memories you create.

    The people you meet.

    The lessons you learn.

    And sometimes, it’s about discovering a little more about yourself.


    If you’ve been following my journey on Beyond The Horizon, thank you.

    Thank you for reading my stories, looking through my photos, and coming along for the ride.

    Hopefully, this helped you get to know me a little better.

    And if there’s one thing I’d love you to take away from this blog, it’s this:

    You don’t need to travel far to find a meaningful experience.

    Sometimes all it takes is curiosity, an open mind, and the willingness to take the first step.

  • The Best Travel Lesson I’ve Learned So Far

    The Best Travel Lesson I’ve Learned So Far

    When I first started travelling, I thought the destination was what mattered most.

    I wanted to visit new places, take photos, and experience something different from my daily routine.

    But over the years, I’ve realised that some of my favourite travel memories have very little to do with the destination itself.

    The biggest travel lesson I’ve learned so far is simply this:

    Be present.

    It sounds simple, but it’s something I didn’t fully understand when I first started travelling.

    Looking back, I don’t remember every road I’ve travelled or every photo I’ve taken.

    What I remember are the moments.

    I remember watching a sunset and feeling like time had slowed down for a while. I remember standing among thousands of devotees and somehow feeling completely at peace. I remember the simple joy of serving others. And I remember standing in front of a waterfall after a hike, listening to the sound of the water and forgetting about everything waiting for me back home.

    Those are the moments that stay with me.

    One experience that taught me this lesson was my visit to Trimbakeshwar.

    Mobile phones were not allowed inside the temple. At first, I thought about all the photos I wouldn’t be able to take.

    Today, I’m grateful for that.

    Without a phone in my hand, I had no choice but to be present.

    I wasn’t trying to capture the moment. I was simply experiencing it.

    And strangely enough, that became one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

    I’ve also realised that some of the best travel experiences are often the simplest ones.

    A conversation.

    A peaceful moment.

    A walk through nature.

    A sunset.

    A prayer.

    The things that don’t always look spectacular in a photograph but stay with you long after the journey ends.

    Travel has taught me many things, but if there’s one lesson I hope I never forget, it’s this:

    Slow down, Look around. Be present.

    Because sometimes we’re so busy trying to capture a moment that we forget to actually live it.

    Looking back at my journeys so far, I realize that the places are only part of the story. The real memories come from how those places make us feel.

    And those are the memories that stay with us forever.

    πŸŒπŸ“ΈβœˆοΈ

  • If I Could Relive One Journey Again

    If I Could Relive One Journey Again

    People often ask me which journey I would relive if I had the chance.

    For a long time, I thought the answer would be India.

    My spiritual journey through Shirdi and Nashik came at a time when I needed it most. It gave me an opportunity to step away from the routines of everyday life, participate in seva, visit sacred temples, and spend time reflecting on what truly matters.

    I still remember the peaceful moments in Shirdi, serving food to those in need, standing before Lord Shiva at Trimbakeshwar, and walking along the Godavari River in Nashik. When I returned home, I felt lighter, calmer, and more grateful.

    But then I thought about Raglan. It was a completely different experience.

    There were no temples, no prayers, and no spiritual rituals.

    Just a drive from Hamilton, a black sand beach, the sound of the waves, and a sunset that seemed to slow time itself.

    What made Raglan special was its simplicity.

    I remember standing there as the sky changed colours and the last light reflected off the water. There was nowhere else I needed to be and nothing else I needed to do. For a brief moment, everything felt calm.

    The more I thought about it, the more I realized that both journeys gave me the same thing, just in different ways.

    Shirdi helped me reconnect with my faith.Raglan helped me reconnect with myself.

    One journey reminded me to be grateful. The other reminded me to be present.

    If I could relive one journey again, I’d probably break the rules and choose both.

    Because some journeys change the way you think. And others remind you how to feel.

    Both are worth experiencing again.